y
with more grit than discretion.

At this particular moment the eye of the late skipper rested on a round
hard-wood stick which lay on the floor of the standing-room. It was used
in shoving down the centre-board when necessary. When he saw it he laid
hold of it. He felt stronger in spirit and in muscle as soon as he had
it in his possession.

"What are you going to do with that stick, you young cub?" demanded
Pearl, rising from his seat.

"I am going to use it," replied Dory, filled with wrath.

If he had waited for some of his wrath to evaporate, he would have done
better. With the club upraised, he rushed aft with the intention of
attacking his persecutor. He calculated that one blow over the head with
the heavy weapon in his hand would depose and dispose of the new skipper
of the Goldwing, and restore him to his place again. Possibly it might
if Dory had succeeded in delivering the blow. He was angry and excited,
while Pearl was cool and self-possessed.

As he struck what was to be the finishing blow of the conflict, Pearl
caught him by the arm, and in the twinkling of an eye wrested the club
from his hand. He threw it on the floor, and then he jammed the
belligerent young man down upon the seat very hard. Dory felt his bones
quake as he came down on the board.

"You have got grit enough to fit out a flock of Bantam roosters," said
Pearl, still holding his victim by the collar of his coat. "But I don't
want any more of this thing, and I won't have it."

Taking a reef-pendant from under the seat, he proceeded to tie the hands
of the late skipper behind him. When he had done this, in spite of
Dory's struggles, he made him fast to the side of the boat.

"Now, young man, I think you will stay where I put you," said Pearl, as
he looked his prisoner over, and saw that he was secure. "You won't make
any thing by such stupid conduct."

"What's going on out there, Dory?" called Peppers, who could not help
hearing the noise of the scuffle.

"Nothing particular going on just now: it is all over," said Pearl, as
he resumed his place at the helm, though not till he had gathered up the
truant sheet.

"Why don't you unlock the door, Dory?" continued the officer.

"I can't," answered Dory, whose tongue was not tied, if his arms were.
"Pearl Hawlinshed has taken the key away from me, and tied my hands
behind me."

"Are you there, Hawlinshed?" asked Peppers.

"Of course I am here. Ask Dory Dornwood if I am not," rep